It’s a measure of just how well thought of the owners and staff of Aisle of Brides are that people were incredibly supportive after they went through the heartache of losing their youngest daughter, Donna, who was also a cherished member of the team at the business, then the family were hit with the devastation of a fire.

Friends and customers turned up throughout the night as firefighters battled the flames, bringing food, blankets and even mops and buckets.

“There are so many people I want to thank, so many people were phenomenal,” said owner Cynthia Bruce.

Aisle of Brides stocks around 600 wedding dresses.

“From people who dashed into the flames because they thought I was inside to the people who turned up at 1am in the morning to try to help. The fire brigade who helped both on the day and in the weeks and months that followed were absolutely brilliant.

“John Berrisford, the liaison officer for the fire brigade, stayed with us for around six months. He came in and guided us through a very challenging and difficult time, we are eternally grateful for all of his help.

“Adrian Le Monnier, our solicitor, worked tirelessly to ensure a speedy recovery from this devastating disaster. We even invited them both to my granddaughter’s wedding. We have formed an eternal friendship with these two very special people.

''We were introduced to Mark Knight of C2 Construction, who have rebuilt the shop to the highest spec imaginable. All of the hard work and support from Mark and his amazing team will never be forgotten.

Aisle of Brides has one of the most extensive bridal collections in the country.

''Then there's Simon Boote of Firework Empire Stoke. He is a dear friend and without him we would have had no building as he secured the building and electricity supply. He worked throughout the night with us to clear all the debris off the highway.

“These people carried us through it and helped us to cope with the mammoth task of rebuilding on such a grand scale.”

The support of so many people is something that owners Cynthia and Frank Bruce will be forever grateful for.

Aisle of Brides reopened to the public just six days after the fire, and every single bride and groom-to-be received their dresses and suits without a hitch. The Aisle Of Brides team hand-delivered garments during the days that the shop was closed.

The refurbishment has been carried out to the highest possible specification.

The shop’s staff carried all of the paperwork out of the building and set up a temporary office so that they were able to telephone more than 1,600 brides to reassure them, including some who were marrying just a few days after the fire.

The women’s section of the shop was unaffected, but more than 1,000 men’s suits were lost to fire and smoke.

It is only now, more than 18 months later, that the part of the shop most severely affected by the fire is ready to be opened after a complete rebuild.

Cynthia and Frank Bruce, who have owned Aisle of Brides for a quarter of a century and worked in the wedding industry for 47 years, run the business alongside their daughter, son-in-law, granddaughters and their husbands.

The expanded men's department at Aisle of Brides.

After starting work from home nearly half a century ago, they now have one of the most extensive bridal collections in the country, including around 600 wedding dresses.

Cynthia and the family are now preparing for a grand reopening of all three floors of the refurbished section of the shop.

It will include an expanded men’s department, with suits to buy as well as hire. There will also be a mother-of-the-bride department.

For Cynthia, Frank and all of the Aisle Of Brides team, the reopening brings closure to a difficult time but is also an opportunity to say thank-you.

“I’m a person who believes in treating people the best that we can and as a result of this over the years we have made many lifelong friends," said Cynthia.

"Our friends, customers and neighbours couldn’t have been more understanding and kind during that difficult time. I want to say thank-you to them all.

"We are extremely excited and looking forward to an extremely busy 2019 and the continuing support of all our fantastic customers.”